Know what you mean… At the end of such a stint, I would certainly not be smiling, rather be carried away by something with blue lights on:-D
It is amazing what the prospect of a better life can do to a person’s motivation. And I think in these people’s lives, it can even bring a smile to their lips. That said, the implication of this massive migration of people does have social repercussions like split families and children growing up without their parents. Who knows if higher living standards can make up for that?